It’s hard to get a huge group of people to agree on any topic, but one thing that just about everyone stands in unison about is that bad breath is not attractive nor fun to face. It’s embarrassing and actually a sign of dental problems that haven’t been addressed. The best way to remove bad dental bacteria and keep your mouth fresh and clean is to care for your toothbrush properly—and use it! Here’s some helpful information from your Ponte Vedra Beach dentist that may help you keep your toothbrush in its best condition and your oral health up to par.
Replace Your Toothbrush Every 3 to 4 months.
Out with the old, in with the new! The rule of thumb is to replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. If you see the bristles of your brush starting to bend and crinkle up, it’s about the time for a replacement toothbrush—even if 3 months haven’t passed by yet.
Frayed bristles don’t clean as thoroughly and may not be preventing you from severe dental problems like a new toothbrush could. Another way to remind yourself to replace your toothbrush is to remember that you should replace your toothbrush just about halfway between your next dental appointment.
Choose the right toothbrush for you.
When you’re looking to get a new toothbrush, you must choose between a manual toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Although every dentist would recommend the electric one for the best cleaning experience, it’s important to get the best brush that works for you.
If you decide to get a manual toothbrush, be sure that it has soft bristles. The bristles on a soft bristled brush are flexible enough to clean hard to reach areas in your mouth.
If you decide to get an electric toothbrush, remember that it needs to be charged regularly and isn’t the easiest thing to tote around. If that won’t come in between your regular dental habits, then go for it! The rotating motion of the bristles make it easier to clean between teeth and at the gum line.
Why is it important to keep my toothbrush up to par?
Besides normal wear and tear on your toothbrush, there are more important reasons why buying new toothbrushes help keep optimal oral health.
It may seem like your toothbrush is working fine, but you may be exposing yourself to bacteria build-up. This could occur from having your toothbrush in a tight, dark space without room to air-dry.
If you’ve been sick, you will need to change your toothbrush so that the old bacteria don’t stay on your toothbrush. You may be feeling better one day, brush your teeth, and get sick all over again!
Your oral health is important. Regular brushing habits are just one part of maintaining excellent at-home dental care. Another big part of maintaining great oral health is to keep your regular appointments with your dentist for dental checkups and cleanings.
Meet Your Complete Dental Group
When you choose to visit Ponte Vedra Complete Dentistry, you’re choosing to receive excellent complete dental care with a comprehensive approach. What that means is that we provide you all the services you need to keep your teeth and gums strong and stable. Not only will your smile be cared for, but you’ll receive essential information like these helpful tips to maintain great oral health at home. Do you still have questions? Feel free to call (904) 567-0102.